Suzie

Meet Jennifer

Take the Happiness Dare and share your results. I am (wait for it). . . a Thinker. That’s not surprising, because every test I’ve ever taken leads down that road. I know there’s a doer who lives in there too.

Q: Life throws in kinks. We have busy seasons. Yet sometimes we pile things on top of that. What is one thing we can do to change that?

Giveaway

We’ll choose one lucky woman to receive a copy of The Happiness Dare. If you are outside the U.S., we’ll send you a Kindle copy! Simply comment to be entered. ~ Suzie

Great interview! I love Jennifer’s suggestion to put times of rest and refreshment on our list. I’m not a big list person myself, but I’m filing that in my memory banks as a good suggestion to other friends who may need to do that. 🙂
Thanks for the linkup!

What if we all put “remember to laugh” or “find a moment to play” on our lists? How would that change the dynamics of our day? I know it’s hard. Sometimes it feels impossible, but perhaps the smallest moments captured on purpose would bring the biggest benefit. : )

I love the concept of emptying the “room”. My room is busting at the seams. The past few weeks have been overwhelming to say the least. Between work issues/drama and major life issues with my grown son I feel I have no peace or rest. Even when I do have just a quiet moment my thoughts and worries sneak in to take it over. Thanks for this series I am picking up priceless nuggets of wisdom from the posts as well as the responses.

Jennifer and Suzie, I enjoyed this interview. I am one who has a hard time celebrating what has been done because I’m looking at what needs to be done. When I was writing a chapter on work and rest Genesis Chapter one struck me in a new way. God celebrated each day’s work during Creation. He said it was good. It’s godly to celebrate our work and to rest!

I’m a giver first and a thinker second. This surprised me a bit. I assumed I’d be a thinker. I suppose it shouldn’t have surprised me, since I spent 17 years as a professional caregiver. LOL But there were only a few points between my primary and secondary. Today’s message was quite an eye-opener for me! Thanks for sharing, ladies!

I’m a Giver! Which I pretty much knew already. Thanks for the opportunity to confirm this about myself! Easter time is busy for me, as I plan the music for my church. I need to remember to block out the 2-3 weeks before and not take on any other projects. Another busy time for me is VBS, which is the first week of summer this year, and I am the Decorating Chairman, and spend the 4 months beforehand planning, implementing, and putting together the decorations for our VBS. I have alot of help this year, but am lagging behind, as usual, because Easter came during that 4 months, and there will also be a graduation in our family. I covet your prayers!! I soooo want to be on a beach right now, just enjoying the waves!!! Thank you, Jennifer for sharing your quiz and your heart with this devotion!

Well, taking this quiz was FUN! My happiness style was GIVER. I would say that my second ranked style would be the DOER.

What typically steals that type of happiness in me is the thieves of time and resources (finances being one). I try to take back my happiness by getting creative about what I’m giving. I discovered a couple of years ago that giving doesn’t have to be extravagant. Even something very small and inexpensive can be meaningful. I can’t wait to hear everyone else’s!!!

What steals the DOER type of happiness for me is obviously time, and also OVERdoing it… I say nearly every single day that there are never enough hours in the day. It’s extremely hard for me to find a balance in that, but God has really been speaking to me about REST & SURRENDER!

I am an Experiencer… my hubby is a Doer. (The only list I have is for groceries! He has a constant ongoing list that NEVER ends… Haa!!!)

It may seem incompatible for a Doer with his lists to deal with a dreamer who jumps into Experiences but we make it work. After 27 years of marriage our ways of experiencing happiness are very similar. Today we leave for a work convention (Mr. Doer!) but will be side tracked tomorrow by doing some historical tour experiences in Tennessee first (my plans)!
Maybe I will add “ice cream in the sunshine” to the work list on his phone!

“Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (Matt. 11:28)” It’s okay to be weary. God knew we would be. Praying you find rest in Him! This test blew me away, too! It’s good to understand ourselves – what makes us “tick.” Then, when we are weary, we can better understand why! I’m a Thinker/Giver and I have been extremely weary lately — in my bones and in my soul. And if I think about it (no pun intended ha!), I have been extremely busy and burdened this last year, with hardly any time to just sit … and think … and walk life out with God, through my mind. That rests my soul! So it’s no wonder I’m weary. This was so helpful! Prayers for you too. xoxoxo

According to the quiz I am a giver and that is absolutely no surprise. I find such happiness in giving to others that I am challenged at giving to myself, I don”t like to spend money on myself at all!! Today I am forcing myself to do something totally out of my comfort zone-getting a mani/pedi-my mind tells me it’s a wastes of time and money but my heart is yelling “You need to stop, take a break, and pamper yourself” So my mantra this morning is “It’s ok to give to yourself once in a while.!!”

It’s absolutely necessary Nancy! And yes, you definitely are a Giver! That was my second style – and I too find it VERY hard to take care of myself, but I’ll make certain everyone around me is taken care of, and then some. Thankfully my husband goes out of his way to make sure I don’t neglect myself for too long. Ha! Go get that mani/pedi — and rest in the wonderful gift of YOU. xoxoxo

I did it-it was wonderful and I didn’t realize until I sat in the pedi chair how much I needed it. The absolutely best part-I was able to share about Jesus with the nail tech-he is from Laos, a Buddhist country but he isn’t following any religion but hungry to learn about Christianity. He had many questions, I had some answers and it was an awesome time of sharing!! As my friend said to me when I picked her up from her chemo I was meant to be at that salon at that appointed time!!

I’m always on the go. I have 2 little girls. I know that even though I stay home with my kids, I always look at what has to be done and when weekend comes, there’s a lot that we have to do of going places. My husband teases me and says that I need to rest and slow down a little. There are days now that when I think that chores need to be done, but kids want to play…I know that dishes and laundry will always be there but my kids are growing up. So spend time with them. I’ve been doing that a lot more.

Sarah, a young family is exhausting and the push to do more can push you over the edge in stress. Yes, dishes pile up but loving your family fills you up: Joy. Have fun with those littles, they grow up too fast.

One day I was walking with a friend and she was exhausted. We talked about something we could do to break the hectic cycle she was on. I suggested we jump on the bed with her kids. Her expression was priceless. “But the bed is made!” She decided to do it anyway, and her kids laughed as mom jumped on the bed with her. She said that she was so busy trying to keep everything together, she had almost forgot the joy of impromptu fun. That the bed became a symbol of all that she had put in priority, so she started keeping the rest of the house clean but left the bed unmade, just to remind her that a little messiness is okay, and sometimes a lot of fun. <3

Suzie, I love this so much! This really spoke to me, too! xoxoxo Sarah, I can definitely relate! And it’s interesting to think of my happiness style being “Thinker” — which probably means the thief of my happiness is not having time to think. I’ve always found a little rest in cleaning. I can just sort of tune everything and everyone out, and just let my mind wander and rest. Organization makes me rest, too. But two young children and a busy husband find no sense in cleanliness organization, whatsoever. Ha! So, I do think I need to learn how to balance my needs and their needs a little better. I love Suzie’s suggestion! I think the kids and I will jump all over my neatly-made bed tonight … and I won’t bother making theirs today, either. 🙂

Many thanks for sharing. I took notes while I was listening. I have not taken the test yet. I do like to rest – take walks, have my quiet time with the Lord, and just enjoy life. I do know that I like to serve others.I am a thinker – I love to read and to analyze who I am& which way should I continue to go etc.. I do believe that life is a journey that God wants us to experience. I believe that their are different seasons in our lives. I am in the senior citizen part of my life where I do have more time to rest etc. and enjoy doing it. Two of my mottoes to live by are to be joyful and have fun.I believe that we are made for laughter and joy. I liked your idea of having mandatory fun on your to do list. Blessings and joy on everyone’s life journeys.

I am a widow with 10 children. I never stop. It’s constant and never ending. It’s hard being a single parent. God is my everything. Would love some christian counsel on how to slow down and rest.
Liz Jones

Liz, Jesus said that when we are overburdened and weary, we should come to Him and He would give us rest. I suggest you spend some time in prayer and in the Word, perhaps in the mornings before your children wake or in the evening after they’ve gone to bed. Cry out to Jesus and tell Him all that you’re feeling and struggling with. Personally, I think 10 children would be a challenge even with a partner. I commend you for your efforts. Even if you feel that you are falling short, take comfort in knowing that you’re doing the best you can! But you can do better. If you give it to God and let Him direct your steps. God never intended for us to go through life alone. It was His plan that we would walk through life relying on Him to meet our needs. God loves you, and He has a plan for you. Seek Him and you will find it. Praying for you….

Heavenly Father, we know that You see Elizabeth and care for her. Help her to rest in You. Give her strength for the day. Help her to surrender tomorrow’s worries, and to simply walk each moment in Your loving and able arms. Being a mom is so incredibly hard – and especially when the burden is squarely on our shoulders. But we are never alone. You are always with us. Help remind Elizabeth that she can trust in You and look to You for help. You may not lift every physical burden from her – but You can give her the mental, physical, and spiritual strength to accomplish each one — and to let go of a few, too. Bless her, Father, for the very important work she is doing. Children are our greatest gift in life – and they are entrusted to us by You. Help Elizabeth to rest in the eternal joy of motherhood, instead of letting the temporary burdens of this life bring her down. In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen. xoxoxo

Hi Suzie, the last few days have been hectic. I took an intentional break😊 You won’t believe how refreshing it is to escape the normal life routine.
i would really like a copy of Jennifer’s book. I follow her blog and have read reviews about her new book.
Thank you for an opportunity to win a copy!
God bless you both

Good for you for taking a break! That’s really hard to do, but oh so necessary. I am praying for you today that God will continue to bring you into His rest as He is bringing me into it as well. Blessings